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Parks News

Posted on: August 9, 2019

Kenosha County Parks to host Picnic in the Park on Aug. 24

Kenosha County Parks’ annual Picnic in the Park will return to Petrifying Springs Park on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Following up on last year’s successful event, the daylong festivities will include live music, interactive kids’ activities and an evening fireworks show. Upward of 20 food vendors will be on hand as part of the Traveling Food Truck Tour hosted by Kenosha County Parks and the Petrifying Springs Biergarten.

Admission is free. The festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m., continuing through the fireworks show at dusk. Petrifying Springs Park is located at 5555 Seventh St. in the Village of Somers.

First held from the late-1980s to the early-1990s and revived last year, Picnic in the Park’s aim is to raise awareness of the county’s parks system, and to educate the public on the value of parks.

“This will be a great celebration of summer in a beautiful Kenosha County Park,” said County Executive Jim Kreuser. “Our parks have a lot to offer, in terms of activities and natural beauty. Come on out and take some of it in.”

At this year’s event, five large, commercial-grade bounce houses will be free for children to enjoy thanks to a donation by Blue Sky Inflatables. Spectators will also be entertained throughout the event with the support of interactive acts provided by Wam Bam Entertainment including fire breathers, a 7-foot-2-inch Yeti, Kenosha County’s largest-audience participated "Baby Shark" performance, and a replica Apollo 11 astronaut.

Families will also have the opportunity to engage with more than 10 local community organizations that will host educational workshops and informational booths.

This year’s live music lineup features local and regional acts, headlined by Free Fallin, an acclaimed Tom Petty tribute band from Minneapolis.

Western Kenosha County Transit will provide shuttle services for visitors to the Biergarten and parking areas. Additional parking and shuttle services will be available at University of Wisconsin-Parkside Parking Lot B.

As a summer season of parks programming winds to a close, Kenosha County Parks Director Matthew Collins said he and his staff are excited to invite the community to another Picnic in the Park.

“This is like a backyard party for the whole community,” Collins said. “It’ll be fun for all ages, and a great reason to spend a day in the park.”